Holiday hours at the National Bison Range

MOIESE - Between winter weather keeping you at home and a flurry of friends and family visiting for the holidays, we all need time to get away and unwind.  And so, we invite you to visit the National Bison Range during this festive time of year.  

The cold may be nipping at your nose but it can be a great time for wildlife viewing.  

Animals typically are more active during the short winter days.  So bundle everyone into your car and visit one of your local National Wildlife Refuges.

The Bison Range is open daily, from 7 a.m. to dark, which can come as early at 5 p.m. during the middle of winter.  

As long as the weather and road conditions cooperate, the scenic drives are open daily.  The Winter Drive provides a 10-mile round trip along a gravel road located in the flats.  Visitors may also take the shorter West Loop Drive to look for wildlife.  

We suggest people give themselves about an hour to do the drives so they can go slowly enough to enjoy the wildlife and scenery.  As the season advances, roads may become snowy and/or icy, so use caution when driving.  No fees are charged during the winter season.

As an added incentive to visit the Refuge, we will be holding the Christmas Book Sale at the Visitor Center during the entire month of December.  

But please be aware of Visitor Center closures during the holidays.  Besides our normal weekend closures, the Visitor Center will also be closed Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29), Christmas (Wednesday, December 25) and New Year’s (Wednesday, January 1).  And there may be other days the Center is closed.  

Please call 644-2211 for current information about road conditions and, in particular, Visitor Center hours.  You can also get up-to-date information at the website, www.fws.gov/refuge/national_bison_range.

So, bundle up and head outdoors.  Enjoy the winter season, snow and cold and all.  Bring your friends and family to the National Bison Range and share the holidays with us.